Run and tap connector



Feb. 20, 1962 w. G. OSBORN 3,022,370

RUN AND TAP CONNECTOR Filed March 5, 1959 FIG.|

I N V EN TOR. W/zz /4M 0550 8 3,022,370 RUN AND TAP CONNECTOR William G. Osborn, Stamford, Conn., assignor to Burndy Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 797,538 1 Claim. (Cl. 174-71) My invention relates to connectors and, more particularly, to electrical connectors of the compression type for jo'ning a branch or tap conductor to a main or run conductor.

In the past, it has been known to use a connector made of malleable metal which is compressed onto a pair of conductors to forge an electrical and mechan1- cal joint. It has also been shown that it is undesirable to maintain electrical conductors composed of different metals in intimate contact due to the electrolytic action between such different conductors. It has also been known to pass an electric conductor through an opening of a connector whereby the connector may be compressed onto the conductor. Such tubular openings are considered undesirable because of the limited range of conductor diameters that can be accommodated.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide an electrical connector that can be compressed by a suitable tool from an open position which facilitates entry of both a run and tap conductor to a closed position wherein the conductors are in spaced relation and securely gripped within the connector.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a connector capable of taking a range of conductor s'zes; which may be used with aluminum and copper cable; and which may be extruded into a desired shape.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a connector in which the extrusion of the metal forming the connector is directed into the configurat'on predetermined by the shape of the conductor opening in cooperation with the die shape of the compressing tool.

One of the features of my invention is the use of con ductor receiving openings having ends adapted to overlap or nest, one within the other, when the conductor recelving openings are reduced in diameter.

These and other features and objects of the invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector of this invention in its open or conductor receiving position; and

FIG. 2 is a View in cross section of the connector of this invention crimped or compressed into its closed position about a pair of conductors.

In the drawing, reference numeral designates a preferred form of the connector of this invent'on provided with a central run conductor receiving portion 11 and a tap conductor receiving portion 12. The run conductor receiving portion is generally C shaped, having an upper arm 13 and lower arm 14. In the preferred embodiment the back of the C shaped body joining arms 13 and 14 has a varying thickness with its greatest width at the lower portion.

The arms 13 and 14 extend spirally from the body portion 15 and terminate in tapered portions 16 and 17, respectively. The tapered portions 16 and 17 each have an outer and inner surface with the outer surface of arm 13 adapted to abut the inner surface of arm 14 when the connector is compressed about a conductor as shown in FIG. 2. Thus the arms 13 and 14 are adapted to overlap each other when the connector is closed. The open arms 13 and 14 form an opening 18 through which an endless or run conductor may be inserted, and due to nited States Patent 0 3,022,370 Patented Feb. 20, 1962 the curvature of arm 13, the connector may be hung on the run conductor pr'or to compression.

The tap conductor receiving opening 12 is similarly formed with arms 19 and 20 adapted to have the inner surface of one arm abut the outer surface of the other arm and thus overlap each other in generally spiral form when the connector is compressed about a tap conductor, as shown in FIG. 2. The end of the tap conductor is inserted in tap conductor receiving opening 12 since the edges of arms 19 and 20 overlap each other in the open position. It will be noted that the connector body is thickest at the lower end of the connector in order to hold the connection closed against mechanical stresses that tend to open it after compression. When the arms are bent into a proper position, the connector is closed and the interlaced abutting faces frictionally hold the arms in closed position resisting opening. At the same time the spaced relationship between the tap and run conductor receiving openings separates the connected conductors and prevents galvanic action if the conductors are composed of different metals.

In FIG. 2 the connector is shown in closed position about a run conductor 22 and a tap conductor 23. As is apparent, the abutting faces of the arms overlap each other in a generally spiral configuration and thus resist loosening. Moreover, because the arms are adapted to overlap, controlled extrusion of the connector occurs during compression and a much greater range of conductor sizes can be utilized with a single connector shape.

In the foregoing I have provided a run and tap connector especially devised to be crimped about the conductors to form an electrical and mechanical connection.

g The connector is made of readily malleable conductive metal, and its construction makes it capable of holding the conductors securely over a long period of time and may be manufactured by extruding the proper connector shape. By providing clamping arms which are adapted to overlap each other, I obtain a connector which can be secured to a wide range of electrical conductor sizes.

I have thus described my invention, but I desire it understood that it is not confined to the particular forms or uses shown and described, the same being merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out in other Ways without departing from the spirit of my invention, and therefore, I claim broadly the right to employ all equivalent instrumentalities coming within the scope of the appended claim, and by means of which, objects of my invention are attained and new results accomplished, as it is obvious that the particular embodimerits herein shown and described are only some of the many that can be employed to attain these objects and accomplish these results.

I claim:

A compressible electrical connector for connecting a run and a tap conductor in spaced apart parallel relation comprising: a connector body made of malleable metal having at least two pairs of arms; each arm of each pair of arms being curved inwardly towards its mate so that, upon compression of said connector, at least a conductor may be enclosed thereby; the curvature of one arm of each said pairs being smaller than the curvature of its mate, so that, upon compression of said connector, said arm of smaller curvature will pass within its mate of greater curvature forming an overlapped connection enfolding the conductor; said arm of greater curvature of one of said pairs being hook-shaped and spaced from the arm of smaller curvature of said pair so as to form an opening between the arms on the side of the connector which is adapted to permit the entrance of a conductor between the ends of the arms in 3 said opening and to permit the connector to hang from 2,707,775 said conductor. 2,884,478

Refetences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,449,727 Bowman Mar. 27, 1923 Hoffman et a1. May 3, 1955 Becker et a1. Apr. 28, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Canada May 10, 1955 Canada June 12, 1956 

